Here’s a major bummer: Beloved vegetarian restaurant Carmelita announced via Facebook yesterday that it’s shutting its doors for good come September 29th. Eater was the first to report on the Phinney Ridge restaurant’s closure after nearly 17 years of business. The owners link the “Great Recession” to their decision to close, writing that the Down Economy, “hit us hard as it did many small businesses and individuals. It’s been a challenge to bounce back.” It looks like there’s a bright future for the space at 7314 Greenwood Ave. N.: Shannon Wilkinson (Little Water Cantina), Chris Navarra (The Ridge, Prost), Chris Gerke (Nickerson Saloon, The Ridge) purchased the eatery and are turning it into a whole new concept with a new name. We don’t know many more details, except that the menu will indeed include meat.

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In more upbeat news, Capitol Hill residents appear to have already gone batty over the just-opened Capitol Cider. The two-level, 150-seat pub with a gluten-free kitchen launched last Friday at 818 E. Pike St. Hours are 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., and (at least for now) the space isn’t for junior. But anyone who’s 21+ can join the crowds to try some of the bar’s 50 bottled and 14 draft ciders. The website is still under construction, but you can check Facebook for updates.